Applications are now being accepted for community visits for the 2014 – 2015 academic year.

The New England Aquarium strives to connect our neighbors with the ocean and to participate as members of a community who protect the blue planet. Each year, the Aquarium delivers programs to more than 30,000 children and families through programs at community centers, community festivals, libraries, science nights and admission programs.

Community Events: Book an Aquarium Open House Program for Your Special Event

Our Open House program is great for festivals, library events, family days, science nights and more! Program components can vary based on your event, and may include live tidepool animals or interactive exhibit stations. The program can last from two to five hours.

Community Visits to the Aquarium

Free Aquarium admission is offered to many children from Boston community-based organizations. For more information or to see if your organization is eligible, see our eligibility requirements and complete the community program application form.

After School and Summer Programs: Book a Program to Visit your Center

Aquarium staff and teen interns present hands-on traveling exhibits that allow children to observe, touch and learn about marine animals and habitats. Programs are built on science concepts and presented in a fun, interactive way to create local connections and build skills. Free programs are offered during the school year and summer to qualifying organizations in Boston and Cambridge. For more information or to see if your group is eligible, please complete the community program application form.

Community outreach programs only travel to schools for after school programs one to three times each season; see school programs for more information about programs offered during school time or booking an after school series of six or more programs. Below are our popular community outreach programs.

Lobsters Program

Learn about the biology of this popular crustacean and the lobster fishery in New England. Participants will interact with a real lobster trap, learn about sustainable lobster fishing and even meet a real live lobster!

Traveling Tidepool Program

Our popular traveling tidepool exhibit may be considered our signature program. The program allows participants to handle and observe a wide range of live tidepool animals from local waters to help build an understanding of habitats and adaptations.

Sharks! Program

In this program, participants handle real shark jaws and skin, identify the biggest and smallest sharks and learn about the many special adaptations that make sharks efficient predators. Program support provided by National Grid.